Prices have soared in Ukraine for a popular vegetable used in borscht: why are they rising?.

In Ukraine, the prices of table beets have significantly increased. Over the last week, the cost rose by 20%, indicating an overall trend towards the price increase of this vegetable.

Analysts from EastFruit report this.

The current wholesale price for beets in Ukraine is on average twice as high as in the same period last year. If the price now fluctuates between 10 and 14 hryvnias per kilogram, a year ago, it was much lower.

Experts cite the main factors contributing to the price increase as:

• Producer Expectations: Many farmers are pausing sales because they expect an improvement in the pricing situation.
• Supply Reduction: Most of the harvest is being stored, and only excess are being sold in the market, which reduces the quantity of beets available.
• Seasonality: The transition from summer to fall always impacts the price of vegetable products.
• Increased Production Costs: The cost of energy, fertilizers, and other resources has increased, reflecting in the final product price.

Despite the current price rise, experts do not rule out that this may be a temporary phenomenon. With further price increases, farmers may begin to sell stocks, leading to increased supply and stabilization or even a decrease in beet prices.

The portal "Khvylia" inquired about beet prices in supermarkets and markets at the beginning of October.

Large supermarkets also reflect a trend towards rising prices:

• Megamarket: 17.50 UAH/kg
• Auchan: 15.50 UAH/kg
• Metro: 13.94 UAH/kg
• Average price: 15.65 UAH/kg

On wholesale markets, the prices for beets are as follows:

• "Stolychnyi": 16-18 UAH/kg
• "Shuvar": 12-14 UAH/kg

It was previously reported where it is more advantageous for Ukrainians to buy potatoes, carrots, and onions - in the market or in the supermarket.